Energy Game (insulators and conductors)

Based on a game from the EIA, students review electrical energy  - insulators and conductors with this game.  

16x20 gameboard and spinner

To use the spinner, put the point of a pencil through a paper clip in the center of the spinner.  Flick the paper clip and wait for it to stop on a section of the spinner.  If it is an insulator - move ahead 2 spaces.  If it is a conductor - move ahead 3 spaces.  

The gameboard has pit falls such as move ahead or move back, spin again and go back to start.

*Add color and game pieces such as novelty erasers, pawns, bottle caps or other markers.

With 4 players, this game takes about 15 minutes to play.  To extend time, use the added rule that if a player lands on a space occupied by another player - that player goes back to the start.

All About Energy

I helped a 3rd grade homeschool group learn about energy.  (Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards Big Idea 10: Forms of Energy Benchmarks: SC.3.P.10.1, SC.3.P.10.2)

We watched a quick video (Peekaboo Kidz - The Dr.  Binocs Show: Energy)

Then students created a graphic organizer on energy including -  forms of energy (potential & kinetic) and types of energy (light, heat, sound, electrical, mechanical, chemical & gravitational).

Booklet includes fill in the blank vocabulary, a concept map, cut and paste examples and a word find.

Students took the booklet home to share with their families however it would be a good activity as part of an interactive notebook.

I displayed  the Types & Forms of Energy Anchor Charts for students to use as a reference.

We had some time at the end of class so we demonstrated the change from potential to kinetic energy with wind up boats.  I cut a template out of take-out containers and added a rubber band and paper clip.  We raced in wallpaper trays.